Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:156 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on waiting lists for hip replacements in 2001 and two years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19513/01]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:157 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on waiting lists in respect of heart surgery in 1999 and 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19514/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:158 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on waiting lists in respect of eye surgery in 2001 and two years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19515/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 158, inclusive, together.
The hospital in-patient waiting list information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Specialty |
Number waiting at31 March 1999 |
Number waiting at31 March 2001 |
|
Ophthalmology |
4,267 |
2,889 |
|
Cardiac Surgery |
1,187 |
451 |
|
Hip replacements |
1,317 |
776 |
These figures show that the number of patients waiting for ophthalmology services decreased by 32% during the period March 1999 to March 2001, the number waiting for cardiac surgery decreased by 62% and the number waiting for hip replacements decreased by 41% during the same period.
The overall target for waiting list initiative funding is to ensure that no adult waits longer than 12 months and that no child waits longer than six months for treatment. It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment in 2001. Dedicated funding for waiting list procedures of £34.5 million was allocated in 2000 to health agencies to enable hospitals to carry out waiting list procedures and I am pleased to inform the Deputies that £34.5 million has been indicated to health agencies under the waiting list initiative for 2001.